“Your idea is stupid.” Has anyone ever told you that your business idea won’t make it? That your idea is too odd, too unique or too different? That you need to stick with what is proven?

Here is the dealio, your entrepreneurial success is almost exclusively determined by following your passion, servicing the living hell out of it, and staying committed to your own success, relentlessly. Outside of you, the only other thing that matters is that you find customers willing to spend enough to healthily grow your business. And you can figure that part out using the Focus Five Strategy.

Check out this list of “stupid business ideas” that are all, in fact, successful. If this doesn’t convince you to pursue your personal desires and make it into a business, I don’t know what will:

Popping Bubbles – We all know how fun it is to pop bubble wrap, now you can put it on your key chain, and pop, pop, pop for ever. You should have had this idea. And if you did, you should have made it a reality… because this entrepreneur did, and is making money.

Infidelity Light Detector – Wondering if hanky-panky is happening on your couch or bed while you are away. This black light system finds any residual, ahem, leftovers.

Wishbone Replacement– Need help making a decision? Wishbones are often hard to come by, so this entrepreneur invented WishPaper… and people are buying it.

Dog Doo Ornament – What better way to decorate your Christmas tree, than with a frosted dog doo?!? I don’t get it, but this thing is actually selling. Then again, I did write the book that ties entrepreneurialism to the bathroom experience.

Rat Manikins– The rat manikin is an animal training system that allows students, lab techs, and handlers to learn how to handle a rodent with safety and confidence. The system includes removable ears, tail and a supply of artificial blood. Sounds like props for a cheezy horror movie to me, but this business is making money. So can you.

Geese Police – This company will control your Canadian goose problem by using working Border Collies and other special techniques. Shoot, if this entrepreneur can have a successful business with a tag line like “Get the Flock Out!”, so can you.

Flatulence Deodorizer– Ate too many beans? This will make sure the rest of the world doesn’t find out. The other solution is to not eat beans, of course.

The Museum of Bad Art – Not only do they have two locations in Boston, but the book is flying off the shelves. We all like to see a train wreck, especially when someone else painted it. This entrepreneur is making cash, as we gawk at the “crash.”

Virtual Animal Skins – Summer jobs aren’t what they used to be. Gamers are becoming traders in the fantasy Web world of Entropia Universe, buying and selling virtual animal skins and weapons. The Wall Street Journal that reports on an 18 year old who has made $35K over the past four summers playing games. If he can do it, so can you.

Square Watermelons – Big ol’ round watermelons don’t stack well on store shelves, let alone well in a refrigerator. So instead of living life sans-watermelons, Japanese entrepreneurs figured a way to make watermelons square. Now they are selling like hotcakes, err, uh, like watermelons. Why not bring this to your locale? There is even a DIY guide on line. If Japanese merchants can make money with square watermelons, so can you.

Chewy Jewelry – Tired of the young baby chewing on your necklace? Here’s the solution you have been waiting for. How about inventing a pen and pencil set made for chewing?

Knife Throwing – The Great Throwdini (I love that name – you just can’t beat that cheesiness) performs on Broadway, at corporate events and weddings and has been on TV shows such as “Late Show with David Letterman” and ESPN’s “Cold Pizza.” He makes over $100K a year for his knife-related ventures. Clearly living his passion and making respectable cash. If The Great Throwdini can do it, so can you.

Video Game Training – People are paying good money to become more efficient at kicking back and kicking video game ass. If this entrepreneur can be successful in this business, no question, so can you.

Bull Penis – Well I’ll be. Sure enough, there is a business that is successfully selling bull privates. And contrary to what you would think, he doesn’t have stiff competition. I know. I know. I just had to say it.

Make your passion, your interests into a business! If these people can have a successful business, surely you can too.

5 Responses to “15 Stupid Business Ideas, That Are Actually Super Smart”

[…] Why? Big companies believe they are already working on all the “good” ideas, at least according to the consensus of a larger group. Smaller companies need to be more resourceful—they need to develop innovative approaches that big companies might think are too far out or too “stupid” for them. Smaller companies are nimble, and can more easily test out their dumb business ideas. They can address the needs of seemingly niche audiences, such as the market for square watermelons or the demand for “Geese Police.” […]

I am more curious about the process you went through to put together a list like this…

Hanging out with friends, there are often conversations like “dude, wouldn’t it be awesome if there’s ….?” Usually after a few beers, and usually was just laughed off. Every now and then though, I would start to think “huh… wouldn’t that actually be awesome?” and how to make it happen.

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